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KRISTEN MULLEN / THE CITIZENS' VOICE
Susan Allen, of Dallas Township, a former combat pilot in the Navy, shows off her flight jacket and the shadow box she received upon her retirement.

Susan Allen of Dallas Township was among the first women to fly combat aircraft when rules were relaxed to let females in some combat roles in 1993.

The military's new plans to open ground combat roles to women is a landmark step toward equal opportunity, says Allen, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander.

"Every role that has been opened to women, we still had to qualify for the position. You still had to meet the requirements to serve in the position to do the job," Allen said. "If a woman can't physically do the job, just like a man who can't do the job, they won't be allowed."

Pentagon officials say the change could open up more than 230,000 combat positions to servicewomen who were previously prohibited from serving in roles "whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground."

Locally, the Wilkes-Barre-based 109th Field Artillery - one of the oldest military units in the United States - could allow female soldiers for the first time since being formed in the Wyoming Valley in 1775. Military brass set a January 2016 deadline to finalize the transformation, giving each branch a chance to seek exceptions for certain positions.

"The way war has evolved, women have been on the front lines. Women have been serving in positions where they still could be shot at, but not in a 'front-line capacity,'" said Allen, 47. "There were women pilots in World War II, but they were transport pilots. They served in dangerous situations, but they transported people and supplies."

Servicewomen continued to be prohibited from flying combat planes until 1993, when President Bill Clinton repealed the restriction. Around the same time, women were allowed to serve on U.S. Navy battleships for the first time. Women weren't allowed to serve in submarines until 2010.

Prior to the 1993 change, Allen was a pilot who flew the Navy's LC-130, transporting cargo, personnel and fuel to stations in Antarctica and the South Pole. Soon after, she was presented the chance to enter a combat squadron to fly the Navy's P-3, mainly used for anti-submarine warfare patrol. She also flew anti-drug operations in South America and electronic observation flights that included a stint during the Bosnian War.

Allen wanted the combat role, applied for it and qualified for the task - something current servicewomen should have the chance to do, she said.

"There are growing pains. I'm not going to say being among the first women in my squadron was easy. It wasn't," Allen said. "You prove yourself like everyone else. Over time, you're not going to hear those objections anymore."

Prior to joining the military in 1988, Allen graduated from Bucknell University and worked as a math teacher. She later attended the Navy's Officer Candidate School and made a career out of the military, rising the ranks to lieutenant commander. Her final assignment was at the Navy Reserve Center in Avoca before retiring in February 2008.

She remembers being interviewed 20 years ago by a newspaper in California about the historic change to allow women to fly combat planes. All these years later, she's glad to see further advancement.

"To me, it was about time," she said.

For King's College senior Julia Valenti, the change to allow women in combat is another opportunity in her military career. She's a member of the college's Reserve Officer Training Corps.

"Women are capable of doing strong things. I work with a lot of strong women in ROTC who want to go into the infantry. These girls really bust their humps just like the guys do. Yeah, we might not be able to lift as much, but we have endurance as well. This is a good opportunity for women and I think it's something that needed to change," said Valenti, 21. "Most men will say if a female is injured in combat, it's harder for them to deal with, but I think that's the case with any battle buddy you have out there."

After graduation, the mass communications major is choosing a six-year Army Reserve commitment over four years active duty. She said she'd be interested in a combat role in the Army Reserve.

"Being an American willing to fight for our freedom, I would want to be among the front line troops like most of my battle buddies who are male," said Valenti, of King of Prussia. "I would take part in it because it means fighting for the country that much more."

Women are not allowed to serve in artillery, armor, cavalry, and infantry combat units of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. That includes the 109th Field Artillery in Wilkes-Barre - which also has armories in Nanticoke and Plymouth - and the 109th Infantry Regiment in West Pittston. Women are allowed in support units like the 228th Brigade Support Battalion, which has its Golf Company stationed under the 109th's roof in Wilkes-Barre.

There will be no immediate changes until the Department of Defense hears from top Army officials and directs the National Guard how to proceed, said Staff Sgt. Matt Jones, spokesman for the National Guard.

"Each service chief is going to have quite a bit of time to make exceptions. There could be no exceptions," Jones said. "We'll be prepared to move forward as soon as the specifics are announced."

Sarah Scinto, staff writer, contributed to this report.

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

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